Communications (Journalism)

Communications includes instruction in mass media and laboratory experiences in media arts and journalism. The program includes:

print journalism,

publications,

broadcasting,

narrowcasting,

podcasting,

public relations,

desktop publishing,

film studies,

reporting and writing news,

multimedia reporting, and

visual, digital, and mobile communications.

Included in the communications program are critical and analytical thinking skills, sensitivity to cultural diversity, and ethical communication. Courses in communications satisfy general education requirements for the associate degree and lower division transfer and can be used to fulfill some of the requirements for an associate degree major in language arts. Communication courses are also an integral part of the Associate in Arts in Communication Studies for Transfer degree, which focuses on the areas of public communication, small group communication, oral interpretation, and interpersonal communication. Communication Studies additionally offers an Associate in Arts in Journalism for Transfer degree.

Interpret and critically assess a variety of media messages, including those that reflect multicultural perspectives in order to make connections, critically compare and contrast ideas, and produce written, oral, and visual messages.

Identify and apply criteria for distinguishing fact from opinion and demonstrate awareness and sensitivity and biases in messages in order to produce communication that are accurate, objective, fair, and balanced.

Understand and apply ethical and legal principles of professional communications organizations in order to cultivate trust, responsibility and credibility.

A survey and evaluation of mass media in economic, historical, political, psychological, and sociological terms. Focuses on helping the media consumer understand the power and significance of mass communications: books, newspapers, magazines, radio, television, motion pictures, the Internet, public relations, and advertising. Discusses the rights and responsibilities and interrelatedness of media in a diverse global society. Required for all communications and journalism majors; also a general interest course.

An introduction to defining, gathering, and writing the news. Stresses accuracy, objectivity, fairness, and balance. Practice in interviewing techniques, following rules of professional style, and writing basic news story structures for print, broadcast and online publications. Discussion of issues involving press rights and responsibilities, cultural sensitivity, taste, libel, and ethics. Required of all communication and journalism majors.

This course is designed to accommodate students who wish to contribute to the campus newspaper, magazines and/or student publications websites but are unable to enroll in regular staff classes. Students who are interested in advertising, writing, photography, art, graphics and/or page design may participate in student publications to a limited extent through this class.

A survey of public relations history, theories and practices with emphasis on applications to business, public agencies and institutions. A practical approach to using the media, creating publicity releases, organizing and executing campaigns. Explores job opportunities of particular interest to communications majors.

Overview, history and critical analysis of popular culture as a window for understanding American society Theories and methods of analyzing artifacts of popular culture will be explored. Overarching themes include history and social theories of popular culture; pop culture as a product of American multiculturalism; the relationship between a commodity culture and intellect/artistry; philosophical/ethical issues surrounding popular culture.

In considering the history of American commercial motion pictures from their origins to the present, students will study film language, the social composition of audiences, the economics of the film industry, major themes and genres that have appeared in American films, and the relationship between politics and American motion pictures. Meets IGETC fine arts requirement.

Computer instruction and practice. Analysis of story structures and effectiveness of written material, rewriting, correction of errors, proofreading, headline writing, news and picture evaluation, and page design. Hands-on experience working on student publications with the college newspaper and magazine staffs.

An introductory lecture/laboratory journalism course that produces the college newspaper, the Clarion, and its website. Beginning staff members learn facts-based story telling techniques and modern news production skills. In collaboration with other publications classes, beginning staffers write, photograph, illustrate, and edit news, features and opinions for publication for student media.

A lecture/laboratory journalism course that produces the college newspaper, the Clarion, and website. Working in teams, and in collaboration with the other student publications classes, intermediate reporters produce news and feature story packages that may include a main article, sidebars, photos, charts and graphs, and/or illustrations for publication.

Advanced level lecture/laboratory journalism course that produces the college newspaper, the Clarion, and website. Senior staffers learn and put into practice the "watchdog" function of journalism. Working in teams, and in collaboration with the other student publications classes, senior staffers produce in-depth, investigative and enterprise story packages that may include a main article, sidebars, photos, charts and graphs, and/or illustrations for publication.

Advanced level lecture/laboratory leadership training journalism course that produces the college newspaper, the Clarion, and website. Staff leaders serve as mentors, associate editors, and editor in chief to develop and guide less experienced students striving for journalism proficiency. Working in teams, and in collaboration with the other student publications classes, staff leaders produce story packages and special sections for publication as they advance toward professionalism.

A study of the major aspects of editorial responsibilities. The course provides practical instruction and experience for campus editors in writing, editing, and evaluating editorials in student media, as well as formulating editorial policy.

A lecture/laboratory course in which the organization, formula, format, and production methods of paper and/or digital magazines are studied and applied in the development of a college magazine. Activities include writing and editing stories, video and/or still photography, art, layout, and production as a paper-based or digital publication.

COMM 698ACooperative Education1 Unit (AA/AS)60 lab hours arranged

Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass, Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): Instructor permission.

A course designed to assist students in planning and accomplishing meaningful learning objectives related to communication at their place of volunteer employment or training sites.

COMM 698BCooperative Education2 Units (AA/AS)120 lab hours arranged

Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass, Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): Instructor permission.

A course designed to assist students in planning and accomplishing meaningful learning objectives related to communication at their place of volunteer employment or training sites.

COMM 698CCooperative Education3 Units (AA/AS)180 lab hours arranged

Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass, Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): Instructor permission.

A course designed to assist students in planning and accomplishing meaningful learning objectives related to communication at their place of volunteer employment or training sites.

COMM 698DCooperative Education4 Units (AA/AS)240 lab hours arranged

Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass, Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): Instructor permission.

A course designed to assist students in planning and accomplishing meaningful learning objectives related to communication at their place of volunteer employment or training sites.

COMM 699ACooperative Education1 Unit (AA/AS)75 lab hours arranged

Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass, Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): Instructor permission.

A course designed to assist students in planning and accomplishing meaningful learning objectives related to communication at their place of paid employment or training sites.

COMM 699BCooperative Education2 Units (AA/AS)150 lab hours arranged

Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass, Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): Instructor permission.

A course designed to assist students in planning and accomplishing meaningful learning objectives related to communication at their place of paid employment or training sites.

COMM 699CCooperative Education3 Units (AA/AS)225 lab hours arranged

Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass, Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): Instructor permission.

A course designed to assist students in planning and accomplishing meaningful learning objectives related to communication at their place of paid employment or training sites.

COMM 699DCooperative Education4 Units (AA/AS)300 lab hours arranged

Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass, Standard Letter

Prerequisite(s): Instructor permission.

A course designed to assist students in planning and accomplishing meaningful learning objectives related to communication at their place of paid employment or training sites.